10 June 2023

Featherstone Rovers suffered their first defeat of the Championship season against a committed and organised Toulouse Olympique side that defended stoutly and were lethal on attack.

Rovers suffered an early blow with the loss of Johnathon Ford with a shoulder injury, but still dominated in the forwards without unlocking the gutsy French defence. The visitors always looked dangerous when they moved the ball wide and Armitage crossed for their first try. Rovers hit back when Craig Hall chased his own kick through to score, but Toulouse soon extended their lead through Lima. Chan was sinbinned for a head-butt and eventually intense Rovers pressure told when Luke Briscoe crossed just before half-time. That left Rovers four points behind at the break.

Peyroux found space out wide to increase 12-man Toulouse’s lead to 18-8 at the start of the second half. Rovers forwards continued to make ground, and first John Davies and then Chris Hankinson forced their way over. Hall managed just one conversion and the game was tied at 18-all going into the final quarter. Toulouse took control and convincingly won the match with three converted tries to which Rovers had no answer.